‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Stunned by Bizarre Puzzle That Frustrated Contestants
Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in March 2023.
During a tense episode of Wheel of Fortune‘s WWE-themed week, professional wrestler Natalya and her teammate Grant lost their chance to win a Ford Bronco. Viewers were equally confused by the highly unusual puzzle answer they missed: “Wide Boulevards.”
This special tournament matches WWE wrestlers with everyday fans, leading up to a championship showdown among the top three duos. By accumulating $19,500, Natalya and Grant successfully secured their place in Friday’s grand finale, though their disappointment was clear when they stumbled during the prize puzzle segment.
The pair faced a two-word challenge under the “Places” category. After choosing their extra letters—B, H, A, G, and D—they were left looking at a board that read: _ _ DE _ _ _ LE _ _ ARDS. Although they quickly guessed the word “Wide,” they were unable to solve “Boulevards” within the allotted 10 seconds.
Once the correct phrase was shown, Grant turned around, visibly exasperated, and sarcastically dismissed the answer by saying, “Wide Boulevards!? Oh, okay.”
The show’s 76-year-old host, Pat Sajak, attempted to comfort the team, reminding them, “But listen, you’re coming back tomorrow!” Meanwhile, fans immediately flocked to social media platforms to voice their own annoyance over the bizarre puzzle.
“WTF is ‘wide boulevards’??” wrote one spectator, echoing the thoughts of the majority. Another person chimed in, asking, “Seriously? Wide boulevards??? Who even says that?”
The WWE week has been full of unforgettable events. Previously in the week, wrestler Big E made it to the finals alongside his partner, winning over the crowd when he jokingly told Vanna White he would be “saving her kisses for later.” In another standout moment, Austin Theory got people talking by participating with his shirt entirely unbuttoned. These two teams, together with Natalya and Grant, will face off in the final competition on Friday.
Odd puzzle answers aren’t exactly unprecedented on Wheel of Fortune, yet they have faced growing backlash throughout this current season. Both participants and viewers have criticized the apparently arbitrary phrases that frequently cause players to miss out on massive rewards.
As an example, a recent contestant named Elizabeth Sanchez missed out on a Chevy vehicle when she couldn’t solve “Candy Jar” in her bonus round. Sanchez shared with The U.S. Sun that she felt the phrase didn’t quite fit the “Around the House” category, stating, “Who even has a candy jar at home? That sounds more like something you’d see in a store or a doctor’s office.”
In another instance, participant Ben Tucker gained media attention for his sarcastic response to a prize puzzle answer: “Taking a Quick Jog.” He dryly remarked, “Well, you see, I don’t consider jogging ‘Fun and Games.’”
Ranging from “Foamy Milk” to “A Peculiar Quirk,” the show’s recent word choices have thoroughly baffled both the players and the audience at home. As Natalya and Grant gear up for their last shot at the championship, viewers are crossing their fingers for fewer curveballs and more logical puzzles.